National Bonsai Foundation

National Bonsai Foundation http://www.bonsai-nbf.org

The National Bonsai Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1982 to support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, located at the U.S.
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National Arboretum.

Operating as usual

Trident maple – Acer buergerianum: a gift from the Royal Household of Prince Takamatsu in JapanIn training since 1895, t...
06/30/2021

Trident maple – Acer buergerianum: a gift from the Royal Household of Prince Takamatsu in Japan

In training since 1895, this maple was one of three trees from the Imperial Family included in Japan's 1976 Bicentennial gift. This majestic tree was trained as a bonsai from a seedling.

Trident maple – Acer buergerianum: a gift from the Royal Household of Prince Takamatsu in Japan

In training since 1895, this maple was one of three trees from the Imperial Family included in Japan's 1976 Bicentennial gift. This majestic tree was trained as a bonsai from a seedling.

Do you love #bonsai? Do you have a knack for writing and social media engagement? If you answered "yes" twice, we want y...
06/30/2021

Do you love #bonsai? Do you have a knack for writing and social media engagement? If you answered "yes" twice, we want you to join the National Bonsai Foundation Communications Team!

We're #hiring for a part-time, paid position that would deal with content creation across multiple channels. Check out the job description and contact info below. We look forward to meeting potential candidates!

https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/jobs

Do you love #bonsai? Do you have a knack for writing and social media engagement? If you answered "yes" twice, we want you to join the National Bonsai Foundation Communications Team!

We're #hiring for a part-time, paid position that would deal with content creation across multiple channels. Check out the job description and contact info below. We look forward to meeting potential candidates!

https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/jobs

Mountain Stream Stone – from the Kifune Shrine area, north of Kyoto, JapanBicentennial Gift from Kunizo Motoki in 1975Th...
06/29/2021

Mountain Stream Stone – from the Kifune Shrine area, north of Kyoto, Japan

Bicentennial Gift from Kunizo Motoki in 1975

The vein of white crystalline material that occurs naturally in this rock gives the impression of a cool stream. The stone's name is Enkakeiryu, meaning "Misty Mountain Stream."

Mountain Stream Stone – from the Kifune Shrine area, north of Kyoto, Japan

Bicentennial Gift from Kunizo Motoki in 1975

The vein of white crystalline material that occurs naturally in this rock gives the impression of a cool stream. The stone's name is Enkakeiryu, meaning "Misty Mountain Stream."

Scots Pine – Pinus sylvestris "R.A.F"This #bonsai has been in training since 1980 and was gifted to the Museum by Willia...
06/25/2021

Scots Pine – Pinus sylvestris "R.A.F"

This #bonsai has been in training since 1980 and was gifted to the Museum by William N. Valavanis (An NBF Hall-of-Famer!) in 2017

Scots Pine – Pinus sylvestris "R.A.F"

This #bonsai has been in training since 1980 and was gifted to the Museum by William N. Valavanis (An NBF Hall-of-Famer!) in 2017

The National Bonsai Foundation is honored to have been able to host Mark Fields, the president of American Bonsai Societ...
06/24/2021

The National Bonsai Foundation is honored to have been able to host Mark Fields, the president of American Bonsai Society and an NBF Board of Directors member, at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum with U.S. National Arboretum staff!! Check out his photos as well as his original caption below. Thanks so much for coming @markfieldsbonsai ! •
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Today was special. I was on the east coast last weekend buying bonsai stock for shows this year with my son, Lincoln and fellow bonsai artist, Robert Hoffman, and decided to email the director of the National Bonsai Foundation to see if I could possibly pay a visit. Since I am president of the American Bonsai Society and an NBF board member, she quickly responded and arranged for me to not only visit, but also get a tour lead by my friend, Michael James, curator of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC. I also met several other board members including the director of the National Arboretum.

I will be writing and article about this rare opportunity for a future issue on the ABS Journal.

Bougainvillea glabra: in training since 1936 and gifted to the Museum's Chinese collection by Dr. Yee-sun Wu in 1986 🌳✨
06/23/2021

Bougainvillea glabra: in training since 1936 and gifted to the Museum's Chinese collection by Dr. Yee-sun Wu in 1986 🌳✨

Bougainvillea glabra: in training since 1936 and gifted to the Museum's Chinese collection by Dr. Yee-sun Wu in 1986 🌳✨

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” ― Wassily KandinskyThere's something about a bonsai bursting with...
06/21/2021

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” ― Wassily Kandinsky

There's something about a bonsai bursting with color. We're taking notice of all the color we can this week. #MindfulnessMonday

📸 Devin H on @unsplash

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” ― Wassily Kandinsky

There's something about a bonsai bursting with color. We're taking notice of all the color we can this week. #MindfulnessMonday

📸 Devin H on @unsplash

Ikebana International, Washington, DC Chapter 1 held its first outdoor exhibit at the U.S. National Arboretum this sprin...
06/18/2021
Local ikebana Chapter Hosts Modified Annual Exhibition — National Bonsai Foundation

Ikebana International, Washington, DC Chapter 1 held its first outdoor exhibit at the U.S. National Arboretum this spring.

Ikebana, or the Japanese art of flower arrangement, has been a complementary art to bonsai for decades. Chapter One has developed an indoor exhibit at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum for 15 years, but this year's exhibit needed a different venue due to the Museum’s temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Ikebana International Washington, D.C. Chapter No. 1 held its first outdoor exhibit at the U.S. National Arboretum this spring.  Ikebana, or the Japanese art of flower arrangement, has been a complementary art to bonsai for decades. Chapter One has held an indoor exhibit at the National Bo

Shelter Stone – collected from Indio, California and gifted by Melba Tucker in 2000This stone recalls natural land forms...
06/17/2021

Shelter Stone – collected from Indio, California and gifted by Melba Tucker in 2000

This stone recalls natural land forms in the American southwest.

#viewingstone #bonsai #museum

Shelter Stone – collected from Indio, California and gifted by Melba Tucker in 2000

This stone recalls natural land forms in the American southwest.

#viewingstone #bonsai #museum

If you would like to swoon over some bonsai and nature-infused weddings (or plan your own!): check out @MTGhospitality! ...
06/16/2021

If you would like to swoon over some bonsai and nature-infused weddings (or plan your own!): check out @MTGhospitality! You can get married at the Arboretum, then enjoy your first moments as newly weds among the bonsai.

@connorstudios @cheersdarlingdc @floralandbloom

If you would like to swoon over some bonsai and nature-infused weddings (or plan your own!): check out @MTGhospitality! You can get married at the Arboretum, then enjoy your first moments as newly weds among the bonsai.

@connorstudios @cheersdarlingdc @floralandbloom

Thorny elaeagnus – Elaeagnus pungens. This bonsai has been in training since 1825! It's a gift from Teisuke Takahashi in...
06/15/2021

Thorny elaeagnus – Elaeagnus pungens. This bonsai has been in training since 1825! It's a gift from Teisuke Takahashi in 1976.

Look for berries in the springtime on this flowering and fruiting shrub. Started from a cutting in 1825, this plant has been cultivated as a bonsai through its entire life.

#bonsai #bonsailovers

Thorny elaeagnus – Elaeagnus pungens. This bonsai has been in training since 1825! It's a gift from Teisuke Takahashi in 1976.

Look for berries in the springtime on this flowering and fruiting shrub. Started from a cutting in 1825, this plant has been cultivated as a bonsai through its entire life.

#bonsai #bonsailovers

06/14/2021

Looking to get excited about the recent reopening of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum?!

Please enjoy this masterpiece video produced and shot by NBF Board Member Stephen Voss, starring Museum Curator Michael James:

As the Head of Horticulture and Education at the United States National Arboretum, Scott Aker works closely with Nationa...
06/11/2021
Arboretum Profiles: Scott Aker, Head of Horticulture and Education — National Bonsai Foundation

As the Head of Horticulture and Education at the United States National Arboretum, Scott Aker works closely with National Bonsai Foundation and National Bonsai & Penjing Museum staff.

We are pleased to share our recent interview with Scott, during which he shared about his history and duties at the Arboretum and Museum:

Some people don’t figure out their true passion in life for decades. But Scott Aker was hooked on horticulture from childhood after witnessing how a few iris plants his mother planted grew from dried-up rhizomes into blooming, show-stopping flowers in the spring.  Aker grew up surrounded b

Fukien-tea (Ehretia microphylla) – in training since 1956 and a gift of Shu-ying Lui in 1986#bonsai #penjing #museum #bo...
06/10/2021

Fukien-tea (Ehretia microphylla) – in training since 1956 and a gift of Shu-ying Lui in 1986

#bonsai #penjing #museum #bonsailovers

Fukien-tea (Ehretia microphylla) – in training since 1956 and a gift of Shu-ying Lui in 1986

#bonsai #penjing #museum #bonsailovers

Did you hear?👂👂 The Japanese government has honored National Bonsai Foundation Board Member Ann McClellan with a 2021 Sp...
06/09/2021
Board Member Ann McClellan Receives Spring Imperial Decoration from the Government of Japan — National Bonsai Foundation

Did you hear?👂👂 The Japanese government has honored National Bonsai Foundation Board Member Ann McClellan with a 2021 Spring Imperial Decoration!

Learn why Ann received this award and congratulate her on this tremendous recognition on our blog:

We are thrilled to announce that National Bonsai Foundation’s Board of Directors Member Ann McClellan and author of BONSAI AND PENJING: AMBASSADORS OF PEACE AND BEAUTY ( available for purchase ) will be honored by the Government of Japan by receiving a 2021 Spring Imperial Decoration. See the pres...

Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) – in training since 1989, donated by the Toronto Bonsai Society in 1996. North...
06/08/2021

Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) – in training since 1989, donated by the Toronto Bonsai Society in 1996. Northern white cedars are the oldest trees in Eastern North America.

This tree was collected in Canada and styled to reflect its northern origins, where heavy snows leave old trees with multiple broken, dead branches.
#bonsai #penjing #tree #nature #whitecedar

Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) – in training since 1989, donated by the Toronto Bonsai Society in 1996. Northern white cedars are the oldest trees in Eastern North America.

This tree was collected in Canada and styled to reflect its northern origins, where heavy snows leave old trees with multiple broken, dead branches.
#bonsai #penjing #tree #nature #whitecedar

"When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves." – Jack Ko...
06/07/2021

"When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves." – Jack Kornfield

As we slowly return to a busier lifestyle, don't forget to set aside time to practice mindfulness and connect with your bonsai pals. ❤️ #MindfulnessMonday

PC: Scott Web on @unsplash

"When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves." – Jack Kornfield

As we slowly return to a busier lifestyle, don't forget to set aside time to practice mindfulness and connect with your bonsai pals. ❤️ #MindfulnessMonday

PC: Scott Web on @unsplash

Japanese Garden Juniper – Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'In training since 1975 and gifted by Thomas Tecza in 1990This dwarf...
06/04/2021

Japanese Garden Juniper – Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

In training since 1975 and gifted by Thomas Tecza in 1990

This dwarf type of #juniper came to the United States from England in about 1900 for use in gardens; however, its small size soon made it a popular choice for beginner #bonsai classes.

Japanese Garden Juniper – Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

In training since 1975 and gifted by Thomas Tecza in 1990

This dwarf type of #juniper came to the United States from England in about 1900 for use in gardens; however, its small size soon made it a popular choice for beginner #bonsai classes.

Now that the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open again (check out our June 1 post for deets!), we want to celebrate...
06/03/2021

Now that the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open again (check out our June 1 post for deets!), we want to celebrate who is visiting!! Tag us when you post at the Museum to get some ❤️ and comments from NBF. We may even feature you on our page if you give us permission to #repost!

See you soon 😍👀

Pc: the lovely and talented @stephenvoss

Now that the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open again (check out our June 1 post for deets!), we want to celebrate who is visiting!! Tag us when you post at the Museum to get some ❤️ and comments from NBF. We may even feature you on our page if you give us permission to #repost!

See you soon 😍👀

Pc: the lovely and talented @stephenvoss

Japanese black pine – in training since 1950 and donated by Haruo Kaneshiro in 1990Every summer, pines grow new buds at ...
06/02/2021

Japanese black pine – in training since 1950 and donated by Haruo Kaneshiro in 1990

Every summer, pines grow new buds at the tips of their branches. To maintain a bonsai's styling, the buds must be removed. Because the buds look like candles, this process is called "decandling."

Japanese black pine – in training since 1950 and donated by Haruo Kaneshiro in 1990

Every summer, pines grow new buds at the tips of their branches. To maintain a bonsai's styling, the buds must be removed. Because the buds look like candles, this process is called "decandling."

Got plans for this week? We suggest visiting the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum!!The Na...
06/01/2021
WELCOME BACK: The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is OPEN!  — National Bonsai Foundation

Got plans for this week? We suggest visiting the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum!!

The National Bonsai Foundation is ecstatic to announce that the Museum is OPEN AGAIN as of June 1, 2021! After closing last March to maintain staff and visitor safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are so happy to invite visitors back to enjoy the national collection’s breathtaking #bonsai and #penjing.

Read more about visiting:

Got plans for this week? We suggest visiting the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum!! The National Bonsai Foundation is ecstatic to announce that the Museum is open again as of June 1, 2021 ! After closing last March to maintain staff and visitor safety during

Bonsai and penjing masters like Saburo Kato and John Naka are recognized as icons who advanced and expanded the ancient ...
05/29/2021
The Future of Bonsai: Todd Schlafer — National Bonsai Foundation

Bonsai and penjing masters like Saburo Kato and John Naka are recognized as icons who advanced and expanded the ancient art of bonsai. Now, the next generation of artists is building on those legacies, putting down roots for many more decades of bonsai artistry.

In the Future of Bonsai blog series, NBF is highlighting up-and-coming bonsai and penjing pioneers who are next in line to spread the spirit of bonsai. Colorado native Todd Schlafer - First Branch Bonsai is one such artist. Get to know him through this recent interview with Sophia Osorio, the First Curator’s Apprentice at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.

Bonsai and penjing masters like Saburo Kato and John Naka are recognized as icons who really advanced and expanded the ancient art of bonsai. Now, the next generation of artists are building on those legacies, putting down roots for many more decades of bonsai artistry. In our new series The F

Taiwan cypress – Taiwania cryptomerioides, a gift of Dr. Yee-sun Wu in 1986 but in training since 1946. 🌳✨#bonsai #museu...
05/27/2021

Taiwan cypress – Taiwania cryptomerioides, a gift of Dr. Yee-sun Wu in 1986 but in training since 1946. 🌳✨

#bonsai #museum #penjing #cypress

Taiwan cypress – Taiwania cryptomerioides, a gift of Dr. Yee-sun Wu in 1986 but in training since 1946. 🌳✨

#bonsai #museum #penjing #cypress

Red ezo spruce – Picea glehnii, in training since 1925 and a gift of Tokuei Tanaka in 1976This tree was probably about 1...
05/25/2021

Red ezo spruce – Picea glehnii, in training since 1925 and a gift of Tokuei Tanaka in 1976

This tree was probably about 120 years old when it was collected in Japan. Knowing the exact age of a bonsai that first grew in the wild is difficult. How old are your trees?

#bonsai #penjing #ezospruce #saburokato

Red ezo spruce – Picea glehnii, in training since 1925 and a gift of Tokuei Tanaka in 1976

This tree was probably about 120 years old when it was collected in Japan. Knowing the exact age of a bonsai that first grew in the wild is difficult. How old are your trees?

#bonsai #penjing #ezospruce #saburokato

"Be like the earth. When the rain comes, the earth simply opens up to the rain and soaks it all in." Thich Nhat Hanh Ope...
05/24/2021

"Be like the earth. When the rain comes, the earth simply opens up to the rain and soaks it all in." Thich Nhat Hanh

Open your mind up this rainy week. #MindfulnessMonday

📸Milin John on @unsplash

"Be like the earth. When the rain comes, the earth simply opens up to the rain and soaks it all in." Thich Nhat Hanh

Open your mind up this rainy week. #MindfulnessMonday

📸Milin John on @unsplash

As summer quickly approaches and health conditions improve, we all have so much to look forward to. For bonsai enthusias...
05/21/2021

As summer quickly approaches and health conditions improve, we all have so much to look forward to. For bonsai enthusiasts, that includes the day when the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum will reopen its doors to the public, as the U.S. National Arboretum is close to announcing an official reopening date!

The National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) looks forward to developing new and exciting exhibits, educational programs and events after this long absence. Your donations make it possible. Give today to support NBF and a new chapter of bonsai: https://bit.ly/2Rp1atS

As summer quickly approaches and health conditions improve, we all have so much to look forward to. For bonsai enthusiasts, that includes the day when the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum will reopen its doors to the public, as the U.S. National Arboretum is close to announcing an official reopening date!

The National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) looks forward to developing new and exciting exhibits, educational programs and events after this long absence. Your donations make it possible. Give today to support NBF and a new chapter of bonsai: https://bit.ly/2Rp1atS

Prostrate juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – in training since 1952 and gifted to the North American collection in 2011 ...
05/20/2021

Prostrate juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – in training since 1952 and gifted to the North American collection in 2011 by Sydney Porter, Jr.

You may recognize the bonsai's design – John Naka styled this tree and included it in his first book, "Bonsai Techniques."

#bonsai #johnnaka #bonsaistyle #bonsailovers #bonsailove #bonsailife #bonsaiart

Prostrate juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – in training since 1952 and gifted to the North American collection in 2011 by Sydney Porter, Jr.

You may recognize the bonsai's design – John Naka styled this tree and included it in his first book, "Bonsai Techniques."

#bonsai #johnnaka #bonsaistyle #bonsailovers #bonsailove #bonsailife #bonsaiart

Address

National Bonsai Foundation: 3501 New York Ave NE
Washington D.C., DC
20002

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(202) 396-3510

Website

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Videos

A captivating #repost from @billangel6 • “Bonsai tree at the National Arboretum in Washington DC. #bonsai #nationalarboretum #bonsaimuseum #bonsaitree #nationalbonsaiandpenjingmuseum”

Repotting the Yamaki Pine
Repotting the Yamaki Pine

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and US National Arboretum staff join forces to repot the world-famous Yamaki Pine – March 2020. Learn more about the process here: https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/blog/2020/4/2/repotting-the-world-famous-yamaki-pine

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Hanukkah!

Happy first night of Hanukkah from NBF to you!

National Symphony Orchestra performs at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

The National Bonsai Foundation's New Website
The National Bonsai Foundation's New Website

Have you heard? NBF is launching a new website next week! Click below to watch a sneak peak of our site's updated features and style.

Plucking needles is easy. Simply grasp with tweezers, pull, and repeat ... 1000 times #bonsai #japaneseblackpine #japan #musclememory #capitalbonsai

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Comments

The promise of today and tomorrow... I will continue to grow. I will continue to change. I will blossom when it is my time. I will continue to trust. I am not planted in the ground by the hand of the Almighty. I have been planted by the son of man. I will continue to grow and to change and to blossom as long as the son of man cares for me. That is true for our entire world in some ways.
Happy World Bonsai Day from Canberra, Australia.
Doing the quiz. I actually got this one correct, though!
Two infrared images from the National Bonsai & Penjing Collection taken last weekend. I wish I'd recorded the details about each tree I photographed.
hello world! what a beautiful museum! such a breath taking museum with rich history.
A small planting from the coast of Maine, Plantago maritima (sea plantain). Keeping cool on a hot summer day. Thanks to kusamono expert Young Choe for the identification.
A root-over-rock Trident maple from the Chinese Collection is repotted at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Spring has arrived in DC. Note how vigorous the roots are.
What a joy to visit the Museum!
Thieves are snatching up rare, decades-old bonsai trees that are worth thousands of dollars. But they forget that once they take the plants, they have to figure out how to keep them from dying...
😩😩
You might want to consider making a timeline of U.S. history in the North American Pavilion with all of the Presidents and a few major events and then show where each of the bansai began training. This would give you a good idea of just how much history these plants have lived through.
I had such a great time at the Bonsai exhibition that I went back with a friend. I think it would be even better if the very old bansai (1625 was it?) was at the end of the Pavilion so that as you go along and see older and older plants and at the end are totally blown away by the oldest one.